Old Zionsville

Friday, September 5, 2025

Hi All!

Sunday, September 5 – Thirteenth Sunday in Pentecost

• We resume our usual hours with Sunday school at 9:00 a.m. and worship at 10:15 a.m.
• We’re looking forward to welcoming back all our Sunday school teachers and children!
• No choir during worship due to multiple absences. Join us to watch the “Windows to the Future in Review” video!
• Our look at the disciples continues with Matthias.

Confirmation Class Starting

• We have two young people enrolled in Confirmation class this year.
• Our first meeting will be at 9:00 a.m. on Sunday, September 21.
• If you know of any youth who are interested in joining with us, please speak with me.

Other News

• We are still collecting all kinds of batteries and printer or ink cartridges to recycle at Staples. To date we have raised over $200 toward Staples purchases. I have small boxes at the front and ramp doors for your “contributions.” Or you can put bags of batteries outside of my office. Thanks! Keep them coming. You are an awesome support of this interesting way to recycle and get credit at Staples for future purchases.
• Want to ramp up your learning about Jesus this fall? Come to church on Wednesdays at 1 p.m. starting on Sept. 10 to view The Chosen, Season 4. We are together about an hour or so; we have snacks and great conversation about this show. This will run until the end of October. Speak with me if you have questions.
• We are having a special speaker in October to help us learn more about the story of the Prodigal Son. Tom Dilts comes to us as a speaker educated on this topic and will keep us riveted in our seats to hear more in depth discoveries. Please plan to stay after worship on Sundays in October: 5, 12, 19 to enjoy a buffet lunch and learning. We plan to conclude around 1:45 p.m. each Sunday. The book is available NOW and costs $10, cash or check made payable to Old Zionsville. See me to get your copy. The study will also focus on Rembrandt’s painting of the The Prodigal.

We have many members and friends of the congregation who have suffered bereavements over the past week. For details, please contact me or the church office.

As always, we hold in prayer many of our members and friends who are walking through difficult seasons—facing grief, illness, loneliness, changes in living situations, and other challenges that weigh heavily on the heart. We also remember our brothers and sisters around the world who continue to recover from the devastation of war, oppression, and natural disasters.

At the same time, we give thanks for the many joys among us—birthdays and anniversaries, the gift of new life, healing and remission from illness, and countless other blessings that remind us of God’s goodness.

We invite you to join us in prayer—not only for our congregation, but also for soldiers at Fort Stewart, those affected by the earthquakes in Turkey and Afghanistan, and the community in Minneapolis grieving after the recent school shooting. May God’s comfort and peace be near to all who suffer.

We ask you to continue in faithful prayer: prayers of comfort and strength, of healing and hope, and of deep gratitude for all that God is doing in our midst. Thank you for embodying the love of Christ and for being the church together.

Peace to all,
Lori Esslinger
Part Time Pastor, Old Zionsville UCC
call or text:  610-393-3522

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